Nissan LEAF Wins 2011 World Car of the Year

NEW YORK, N.Y. (April 20, 2011) Today, at the New York International Auto Show, the 100-percent electric, zero-emission Nissan LEAF was named 2011 World Car of the Year, edging out the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8 for the top spot. Today's award is the latest in a string of accolades for the world's first affordable mass-market, all-electric vehicle for the global market, which was also named European Car of the Year.
"It is a great joy that the world's first, mass-marketed electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, has won the prestigious award of 2011 World Car of the Year," said Nissan Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn. "This accolade recognizes Nissan LEAF, a pioneer in zero-emission mobility, as comparable in its driving performance, quietness and superb handling to gas-powered cars. And it validates Nissan's clear vision and the values of sustainable mobility that we want to offer to customers around the world."
The World Car Awards jurors observed that, "The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world's first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. It has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge claims Nissan, takes around 8 hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply and produces zero tailpipe emissions. Its low center of gravity produced sharp turn-in with almost no body roll and no understeer. The good news? It feels just like a normal car, only quieter."
The World Car of the Year competition was launched in 2004, with winners chosen by a panel of automotive journalists from Asia, Europe and North America.
Nissan LEAF is available in Japan, the United States and select European markets and will be released in other global markets in 2012. The vehicle is currently built at Nissan's Oppama, Japan plant. It also will be manufactured at the company's Smyrna, Tenn., plant in the United States in late 2012 and at Nissan's Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom by early 2013.
Aiming to be the world leader in zero-emission vehicles, Nissan, with its Alliance partner, Renault, has formed partnerships with more than 90 governments, cities and other organizations around the world not only to develop and produce EV and lithium-ion batteries but also to promote sustainable mobility. Nissan is also taking a comprehensive approach to encourage to the world to more sustainable mobility such as improvement of charging service, infrastructure deployment, the promotion of the use of recycled materials and overall energy management system including second-life use of lithium-ion batteries.
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The New York Times: First Buyers of Nissan Leaf Get a Trunkful of Perks
"Tax credits, rebate checks, personalized home visits, government giveaways -- even customer service calls from top corporate executives.
The first all-electric car from a major auto company, the Nissan Leaf, arrives at dealerships in December, but thousands of Americans are already learning that going electric can come with perks like no other car purchase.
"It just keeps getting better and better," said Justin McNaughton, among the 20,000 people who have reserved a Leaf. "My wife thinks it's funny because at the end of the day, we're just buying a car."
Since Mr. McNaughton, a lawyer in Nashville, paid his $99 deposit, he has been bombarded with government incentives -- promises of a $7,500 federal tax credit, a $2,500 cash rebate from the state of Tennessee, and a $3,000 home-charging unit courtesy of the Energy Department.
When he had questions about the Leaf, the answers came in a 40-minute telephone call from a senior manager in Nissan's corporate planning department.
"You kind of feel like you're one of the chosen people," Mr. McNaughton said.
Precisely. It is all part of an unprecedented effort by federal, state and local governments to stimulate demand for cars that have zero tailpipe emissions -- and Nissan's pre-emptive bid to corner the all-electric market much the way that Toyota dominated the early hybrid market with the Prius.
The government subsidies are shaving thousands of dollars off the Leaf's $32,780 sticker price, while other benefits are piling up, like free parking in some cities and the use of express lanes on highways usually reserved for cars with multiple passengers.
In Tennessee, where a Leaf assembly plant is being built, Leaf drivers will be able to charge their vehicles free at public charging stations on 425 miles of freeways that connect Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
"It's almost shocking how many subsidies are available on the Leaf," said Jeremy P. Anwyl, chief executive of the auto research Web site Edmunds.com. "We are putting a lot of money behind this technology."
Nissan expects the typical Leaf buyer to fit a highly desirable demographic: affluent, college-educated consumers in their mid-40s who are both environmentally sensitive and willing to take a chance that electric technology will be as safe and reliable as internal combustion engines."
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Nissan has developed
an sophisticated IT system for its zero-emission EVs, connecting the
vehicle on-board transmitting unit to a global data center*2 to support
EV driving 24 hours 7 days a week.
The dedicated EV platform is
comprised of a highly rigid body, high-performance motor, compact
lithium-ion battery with high power output and energy capacity,
delivering outstanding driving performance and safety, while offering a
quiet and peaceful driving experience; a unique feature of a
fully-electric drivetrain.
The in-house developed electric
motor delivers 80kW/280Nm for high response and powerful acceleration.
Nissan's unique motor control also contributes to the vehicle's
seamless acceleration. The 24kWh laminated compact lithium-ion battery
pack is placed under the vehicle floor for more efficient packaging,
without compromising cabin or cargo space. The battery layout also
allows smooth underfloor air-flow which helps reduce drag.
Additionally, the regenerative brake system employed to recharge the
battery during deceleration and braking extends the driving range to
more than 160km*1 under a full charge.High durability is achieved by
employing an additional frame for the battery pack to significantly
improve the rigidity of the platform. The combination of a high
rigidity platform and electric power-train minimizes vibration and
external sounds to produce a quiet and pleasing drive.